An unexpected gift of teawares

This week I had a meeting with one of our clients, and as soon as I sat down at the table, she placed this sugar and creamer in front of me and asked if I still collect teawares. "Yes ma'am, I sure do," I said, and she told me she is cleaning out some things and wanted to give me this cheerful yellow creamer and sugar set that belonged to her late husband's grandmother. Can you believe that?

Even though I call this woman a "client," which technically she is because I'm assisting her with a project, I consider her more of a friend since I've known her for nearly 30 years now. I was so touched that she wanted me to have these pieces. I like the shape of the handles on this lidded sugar bowl.

And the creamer is lovely as well, with its gold design around the middle reminding me of lace. Each piece is about 2-1/2 inches tall, and I think they'll blend just beautifully with lots of my teawares, including the Royal Winton Welbeck Chintz I decorate with each spring.

The backstamp says "Goldcastle, Made in Japan," and that's a new name in china to me. It's fun to have a new company to research, and it's even more fun to have a treasured gift from a friend thoughtful enough to share some teawares!